Conservative conference: Charities criticise Cameron's 'earn or learn' pledge

David Cameron said the move would ensure young people could only choose between “earning and learning” when they finished compulsory education, rather than living on welfare.

“This is what we want to see: everyone under 25 earning or learning,” said Cameron during his leader’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference.

“Today it is still possible to leave school, sign on, find a flat, start claiming housing benefit and opt for a life on benefits.

“It’s time for bold action here. We should ask, as we write our next manifesto, if that option should exist at all.”

But charities have criticised the Prime Minister’s announcement, warning that the proposals could have a detrimental effect on young people’s “life chances”.

A spokeswoman for The Prince’s Trust said: “We know that the vast majority of young people do want to work and are not content to rely on benefits. Housing benefit is a lifeline for young people from difficult backgrounds who cannot live at home with their parents, or for those who need to support children themselves.

“We are concerned that removing this benefit for the under-25s would make it harder, not easier, for young people to find work.”

Charlotte Hill, chief executive of UK Youth, added: “We know from experience that it’s the most marginalised young people in the UK who go through periods of needing to claim benefits.

“For the government to refuse to support anyone under 25 will seriously harm the life chances of the most vulnerable who are, in many cases, the most deserving on state support.”